In November, we reported to our readers that the U.S. FDA or Food and Drug Administration released a safety announcement that indicated its concern for users of birth control pills that contain drospirenone and the potential for their increased chance of blood clots. Since then, the FDA has continued to review studies and reports before making a final decision on whether the findings posed a real safety risk.
Last week, the FDA concluded that birth control pills, including Yaz, Yasmin and Beyaz, are more likely to cause blood clots compared to older contraceptive pills. As a result, the FDA is requiring makers of birth control pills that contain the hormone drospirenone to carry a warning that “some epidemiologic studies reported as high as a three-fold increase in the risk of blood clots” in women that take the pills.
Drospirenone is a manmade or synthetic hormone added to birth control pills that mimics the female hormone progesterone.
Bayer, the maker of Yasmin, Yaz and Beyaz, has posted a warning on its Yaz website that clearly states that individuals who smoke and who are over the age of 35 should not use YAZ. The warning also states that smoking increases the risk of the Pill’s serious and life threatening side effects, including blood clots, heart attack or stroke. The risk increases with an individual’s age and number of cigarettes smoked.
According to the FDA, the risk of developing blood clots in both the pregnancy and in the postpartum period is still lower compared to when using any form of birth control pills than not using them.
According to a 2010 study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, focused on advancing sexual and reproductive health worldwide, 10.7 million, or 28%, of U.S. women using birth control rely on the birth control pill. The pill is the method most widely used by women who are in their teens and 20s, women who are cohabiting, women with no children and women with at least a college degree, according to the institute. The high number of young women may be attributed to the noted benefits of the pill for controlling acne and for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder – a severe form of PMS.
If you take birth control pills and experience any medical complications, our Treasure Coast prescription medicine injury lawyers encourage you to contact your doctor immediately. The potential side effects can be very serious, and should be addressed.
Contact a Florida Defective Medical Products Lawyer
If you or a family member has suffered heart problems, high blood pressure, blood clots or other health complications while taking Yaz or Yasmin, contact a Florida defective medical products lawyer at the law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney for a consultation.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, represents clients in Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Palm Beach.
Call 1-800-299-8878 to speak with a Florida attorney or fill out our online contact form.
